Best spot

Westerly: Beryl Rockhounding in South County, Rhode Island

Updated July 2026

Westerly is famous for its fine-grained granite, and the pegmatite dikes cutting that granite have yielded smoky quartz crystals up to six inches and occasional beryl. The Smith and Redstone granite quarries, worked since the 1840s, are the source ground in Rhode Island's southwestern corner. It anchors the western end of the state's pegmatite mineralogy. Reported finds include beryl. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Westerly photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Granite Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island, a landmark built of the famous Westerly granite whose pegmatites carry beryl and smoky quartz.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: South County
State: Rhode Island
Nearest road: Quarry Road
Postcode: 02808
Coordinates: 41.38508, -71.73571

Geology at Westerly

This spot sits on Narragansett Pier Plutonic Suite - fine-grained granite, mapped as granite that formed roughly 285 to 265 million years ago. Granitic rock like this is where pegmatite pockets tend to occur, the coarse-crystal settings that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, mica, and feldspar.

Mapped unit: Narragansett Pier Plutonic Suite - fine-grained granite
Age: 285–265 Ma (Cisuralian to Guadalupian)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 200 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Westerly

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WESTERLY STATE AP station (4 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Westerly

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Beryl Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Westerly.

Across the state line from Westerly

Westerly is close enough to the Rhode Island border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Westerly FAQ

Where is Westerly?+

Westerly is in South County, Rhode Island, at 41.38508, -71.73571. Nearest road: Quarry Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Westerly?+

Westerly is reported to produce Beryl.

Is collecting allowed at Westerly?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Westerly?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Westerly?+

The most comfortable months at Westerly are March to November.

How do I get to Westerly?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.38508, -71.73571 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Quarry Road.

More rockhounding in Rhode Island

See all 17 Rhode Island spots →

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